Junior guard A'dia Mathies took questions during Kentucky's media day on Nov. 1. Mathies was voted onto the All-SEC first team by the league's coaches and got one vote for player of the year. She averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season.

Junior guard A'dia Mathies took questions during Kentucky's media day on Nov. 1. Mathies was voted onto the All-SEC first team by the league's coaches and got one vote for player of the year. She averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season.

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Mitchell thinks this can be a special season for Kentucky in large part because of the promise of a healthy Mathies.

"A'dia — if she's in attack mode — she'll be a big-time player and she'll be a significant part of our offense," he said.

In his two seasons with Mathies, he's learned that she's methodical and basketball-savvy, so he sits down with her before games to point out places within the offensive scheme that he believes she can get her points.

Mitchell is just happy to have his star junior — and her back — back at 100 percent.

"Up to this point, she's put all of those concerns to rest as we go into this season opener," he said of her injury. "She's in a really good place right now mentally and emotionally."